How to see the local console of the remote linux machine

I have been using Windows Netmeeting for connecting to a remote windows computer and see the local console of that machine.

Recently I switched to RH Linux and I tried VNC for similar kind of remote connectivity. But with VNC, I can't get the local console of the remote machine because while connecting through VNCVIWER, I can connect only to a different displaynumber. Like if the local console is at hostname:0 [hostname:displaynumber], while connecting through vncclient I can connect only to hostname:1 or above.

Is there anyway I can see the local console of the remote linux machine using vnc or some other software/method so that the person sitting infront of the remote machine's monitor and myself can get the same console.

Re: How to see the local console of the remote linux machine

Hi Thomas,

If you configure "syslog" to send all console alerts to a file, then you actually don't have that much need to get to the physical console.To be secure you should always login with your own user (preferably using SSH) then "su" to root.

The other way to acheive display :0 is to login via text display, "su" to root, then set the $DISPLAY to the IP address of your remote pc, then push the display to your pc using "startx".

Re: How to see the local console of the remote linux machine

A few months ago I was asked to find a program that would allow our sales people to demo software to potential customers in Taiwan/Japan/India/etc. I wanted to use VNC but VNC does not handle 10 people viewing the same desktop very well. I searched around and found a program called Spacecruiser from oridus software. It has worked fairly well for us although it is proprietary and kind of pricey. That said it is a useful alternative if you do not like running VNC. It runs like any other X app, a little window opens up with some controls. You would have to configure it to immediately give you control over the users desktop, but that is pretty easy to do its an option in the menu.

Try it out, I am sure you can get an eval copy from their sales people.

I hope that helps,

Dave

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